“Hope he changes things for the better”: Internet erupts with theories of new Pope being elected as white smoke emerges from the Sistine Chapel

White smoke has emerged from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling the election of a new pope.

The College of Cardinals has elected a new pope on their second day of voting, which means at least 89 votes out of the 133 cardinals participating have gone to a successor to Pope Francis.

Netizens have already begun chiming in with theories on X, with many awaiting the name of the next pontiff to lead 1.4 billion Catholics within the Catholic Church. Here’s how one user reacted on X, for instance:

"Hope he changes things for the better"

The comments didn't end there:

"Who!! Does anyone know!! Does the white smoke mean what I think it means?? Congratulations to the world, we got a New Pope!" someone penned.

"I wonder who they went with," another chimed in.

"that was so fast omg!?" one more pointed out.

"WOW so quick who is it???" yet another questioned.

Even more chimed in with doubts and opinions:

"What a beautiful scene. The bells ringing, the roaring crowd, birds circling through the wafting white smoke. Blessings," one user chimed in.

"New leadership, new hope," someone else added.

"Waiting for the new Pope to appear from the balcony of the St Peters Square," another user shared.

Millions around the world eagerly anticipate the new pope, with many yearning to know how he will lead the Catholic Church.

Robert Prevost, the world's first American pope has been announced: Read more

Robert Prevost has been named the first American pope to lead the Roman Catholic Church, bringing an end to the Vatican’s longstanding opposition to the idea of a pontiff hailing from the United States.

The 69-year-old was born and raised in Chicago, and he has chosen the name Pope Leo XIV, a senior cardinal revealed from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on Thursday evening.

The announcement came shortly after white smoke billowed from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel, and in further confirmation that a pope has been elected, the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica were rung.

Other candidates reportedly considered for the papacy, according to The Guardian, included Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State; Luis Antonio Tagle, a reformist cardinal from the Philippines; Péter Erdő, a traditionalist from Hungary; and Robert Sarah, a cardinal representing Guinea.

In his first words to the thousands gathered outside St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo told supporters, “Peace be with all you.”

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“Evil will not prevail; we are in the hands of God,” he told supporters. “So without fear, united hand in hand with God and among ourselves, we go forward.”

“Thank you, Pope Francis,” he said. He called for a “missionary Church… that builds bridges, is always open to welcome everyone.”

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